Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-05-06
Mr.. HOWapd'S Housekeeping.

al don't see what you have To 90
IN this house that keeps you busy
all day" said Mr.. Howard to his
wife, one morning at the breakfast
table. 81 could do everything
there is to be done in ono hour"
"As for cleaning up the house, |
could do 1t in an hour" answered
his wife, "but there are the children
to take care off,
"That's no excuse. Let the chill
dren take care Of themselves said
Mr.. Howard, as he buttered a roll.
Just then the baby, who was mp
stairs in his crib, commenced cry
ing. Mrs. Howard went up stairs
and brought him down to the din
ing room, and sat at the table with
him in her lap.
"NOw, what is the use of You
spelling that child IN this way y
said Mr.. Howard. alt would not
have hurt him to cry a little"
"The baby is hungry explained
Mrs. Howard. "IIe has not nursed
since three o'clock this morning,
and it Is now seven"
alt will do him good to get hun
cry, Responded Mr.. Howard, short.
ly.
Now, we won't say that Mr.
Howard was a bad man, or a ty.
rant, for he was just as kind heart.
ed and indulgent with his family as
any father could be; but he was
little conceted, and liked to rule,
liked to have everything his way.
"Thats the way you fool away
your time all day." said Mr.. How
ard, decidedly, "nursing the baby
and perhaps reading foolish love
Stories
At this Mrs. Howard was ready
to cry, but restraining her tears
said suppose you try my work
this morning, and let me try
yours
"You couldn't stand the work |
have to do this morning." said Mr.
Howard, with pride.
"Jnst try me once" said his
wife.
"Verv WELL" was the answer; 81
will make ont a list of work that |
have to do from eight to twelve
o'clock"
Mrs. Howard got her note
book and Mr.. Howard gave her the
following. which she noted down:
"Frst, 20 to Mr.. C-s carpenter
shop and have HIM repair the house
on A-strcet; the windows and
doors are to he mendcd and a new
/ picket fence put up. Go with tho
man there and show him what 10
DO. Second, 20 TO my Office and
remain there one hour, receiving
and paying bills; third, 90 to Rs
and see if he has attended to that
work on--strect; collect Stanlcy's
rent and issue notice for Gibbs to
vacate. believe that is all
Very well, now ] will give You n
list" Mrs. Howard smiled as she
thought how her husband would
attend to her five children, letalone
the housework. The oldest Of
these five children was SIX years,
and the youngest two months.
"The FIRST thing you must do,"
commenced Mrs. Howard, sis to
hang the children's beds ont to
sun; then wash the dishes, sweep
the dining.rOorh, set the table for
dinner and darken the dining.
room. Next clean up the kitchen
and sweep the porch and bricks;
in the meantime keep an eye on the
children that they don't kill them.
selves or each other.
"Tnen 20 up stairs, take Robert
and Guy with you, make the beds,
sweep the rooms, dust the furniture,
wipe up the hearth, and also wipe
of the mantel, empty the slop.
bucket and clean the washbowl
and pitcher. After that is done,
wash and dress the baby and put
him to sleep. Wash Robert ana
Guy, and let them go out doors to
play. Then wash out a few things
for the baby, put dinner on, and
while it is cooking iron those few
things for baby"
Mrs. Howard arose from the Ia
bic, went up stairs and dressed for
the street. After she had gone
Mr. Howard smiled to think how
soon he was going TO get through
with his wife's work. lie managed
to get the children's beds out to
air, profting by the instructions OF
Ada, the eldest child. Then he be-
gan on the dishes, forgetting to put
on Mrs. Towards apron, which she
had laid ont for him to wear. Such
another racket among dishes and
splashing water, regardless oftrous
ers and stiff shirt bosom, was never
heard.
The children lett their play and
ran in to see the fun. Guy, who il
fourteen months old. climbed OF
a chair; Mr.. Howard pulled hin
down and turned to his fight will
the dishes. Robert who is a littl
over two years old, climbed on tn
table and turned the caster over
While Mr.. Howard was taking hin
down, little Guy, anxious to fin,